Sheffield Samaritans here to help over Christmas

Volunteers at Sheffield’s Samaritans will be available ‘round the clock’ over the Christmas period.

The service says it will provide a ‘safe space for anyone who needs to talk’ during the festive season, one of its busiest times of the year.

Nationally the charity has found that more than a third of men feel lonely around the seasonal holidays and it is encouraging men to seek help.

Sheffield branch director. Andrea Day said: “Many of our callers have told us that Christmas is a tough time for them, which is why our volunteers will be available round the clock, for anyone who is struggling to cope, including on Christmas day.

“We’re incredibly grateful to the inspirational people who keep our service running every single day of the year when many others are closed.”

A local volunteer who will be taking calls on Christmas day, said: “We answer lots of calls over the Christmas period, and many of those are from men who feel like their family would be better off without them.

“That’s why it’s so important that Samaritans volunteers like me are there for those men when they need to talk.”